Carer Support Payment is replacing Carer’s Allowance in Scotland. You cannot get Carer Support Payment and Carer’s Allowance at the same time.
Carer’s Allowance is a benefit for people who regularly spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a person who receives:
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance care component at the middle or higher rate
- Personal Independence Payment daily living component
- Adult Disability Payment daily living component
- Armed Forces Independence payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance of £83.04 or more paid with an Industrial Injuries Disablement, War or Disablement Pension under the War Pension scheme
It is £76.75 per week and is taxable. If you are working, you cannot be earning more than £151.00 net per week. Carer’s Allowance has a complicated relationship with other benefits as it is treated as overlapping with some other benefits. This particularly affects people who receive a State Pension.
A claim for Carer’s Allowance can also reduce the benefits of the person you are caring for so you should get advice before applying. In Scotland people who receive Carer’s Allowance also receive a 6 monthly top up payment of Carers Allowance Supplement which is paid automatically by Social Security Scotland.
To claim Carer’s Allowance contact the Carer’s Allowance unit on 0800 731 0297 and ask for a claim form or visit www.gov.uk.carers-allowance.
Carer Support Payment is being rolled out in stages. If you think you may be entitled to this benefit and live in either Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, East Ayrshire, Fife, Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Perth and Kinross, South Ayrshire or South Lanarkshire, you would apply for Carer Support Payment at Carer Support Payment – mygov.scot
If you live anywhere else, you can apply for Carer Support Payment when applications open in your area. Or you can apply now for Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Find out more about Carer’s Allowance at GOV.UK.
For more information on Carer’s Allowance/Carer Support payment please visit Age Scotland’s – Carer’s Allowance and Carer Support Payment guide